Henoch-Schönlein purpura in an adult Filipino man: a case report and literature review.

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a form of cutaneous small vessel vasculitis that can involve visceral organs and is associated with deposition of immunoglobulin A (IgA)-containing immune complexes. HSP may appear after a remote history of infection (often an upper respiratory tract infection) as a rash with palpable petechiae or purpura. In addition, a patient with HSP usually complains of arthralgia and abdominal pain. Renal involvement also is common. HSP may be confused with other systemic autoimmune diseases because they all can present with similar symptoms. Prognosis is good and recovery usually occurs without treatment. Although HSP predominately affects children, the condition also can be seen in adults. We present a case of adult-onset HSP in an otherwise healthy Filipino man and review the literature.